Search in:

Del Piero wants Sydney to keep up fight

Ben Horne

Sydney FC star Alessandro del Piero says his on-field bust-up with teammate Ali Abbas last week was a positive indicator that the Sky Blues are in the right mindset to fight their way into the A-League finals.

Del Piero said everything was fine between them and their public stoush actually showed the kind of passion Sydney need to maintain if they're to secure a playoff spot.

Recruits Joel Griffiths and Tiago Calvano will both start for Sydney in Saturday night's clash with the similarly desperate Wellington Phoenix at Allianz Stadium.

Sydney can move into the top six with a victory.

Advertisement

Del Piero dismissed suggestions of a rift with Abbas and said the Sky Blues were focused on staying hungry and making up the two competition point deficit keeping them out of finals cut-off.

"That sometimes happens on the field when me and Ali or someone wants to win, wants to fight," del Piero said.

"We're not in a good position on the table, we want to do more and, when you don't do that, you get angry. But it's OK. It's happened and it finished before the end of the match.

"You have passion for play, for win and from the first minute to the end. All the time, I want to do my best."

With the four clubs outside the top six all a chance of making the finals, Sydney coach Frank Farina says the side can't afford striker Griffiths to take time adapting to his crucial role up front.

Farina is confident Griffiths will make a seamless transition but warned the job of developing combinations could be tougher for their transfer window pick-up Calvano.

The Brazilian, unwanted by Newcastle, must quickly adapt to the team's defensive structure after being brought in to fill an injury gap.

"It can take a while (for players to gel). We don't have time, but we have some quality players there and you just hope it works," Farina said.

"Joel is playing a position where it's important but, in terms of combinations, your defensive structure is probably more up there (in difficulty).

"Tiago is fully fit and ready to go. I didn't bring him in to sit him on the bench. These games are very important, especially on the weekend.

"It's a good opportunity for him and a second chance, if you like. I hope he takes it."

Del Piero is looking forward to partnering up front with Griffiths - the 33-year-old finally set to play his first match after signing with Sydney a month ago.

Farina said he wouldn't be giving the former Socceroos representative too much coaching.

"I want him to play his natural game. I'm not going to teach him how to play football," he said.

"He's aggressive, he chases, he's a good finisher and he's a winner."

The Phoenix are last on the ladder, but only trail Sydney by one competition point.

Farina said Sydney wouldn't be taking their opponents lightly.

"Whenever you play a desperate side, it's tough and we're not silly," he said.